The car was owned by Gary Wasson in the late sixties and seventies. Gary was the father of the man I work for now.Mitch and Hench were a tough pair to beat.And Rob your right about the Henchcraft connection.We had a show at the local track where the Henchcraft sidewinder sprints put on a performance.As big engine sprints become harder to finance,I think we you will see more micro and sidewinder style race cars.

Tefer,These old cars had a wlot more room than the modern sprints.As well as more driveline exposed to the drivers mid section if something failed. You can see in the pictures the roll bar assembly is bolted to the car as an add onOn modern sprint cars it is all integrated as part of the chassis.

Here is a vjdeo with the wing on the car:Mitch Smith wheels the Gary Wasson #5 past Ray Tilly in the Bud Grimm #88 Classic Stuff.mpegThe wings were removed for USAC racing.For those of you not familair with sprint cars,by tradition they are still a direct drive race car with no driver gear changing. You put the car in gar and push it with another vehicle . Once the engine starts turning and the oil pressure comes up,you turn on the fuel and hit the ignition to on and away you go. It makes the pit area keep on their toes because the sprints are still under power most of the time when they exit the track.

buzz, I have 2 tracks close to home and get to see some sprint car action a few times a year. A friend offered me a ride for a few circuits when he was out practicing. I got all suited up and couldn't fit in the seat (6ft 2 with long legs). You never know how disappointed I was. I really like watching wingless sprints on asphalt. Used to be called the freightliner series I think.

My boss fielded 2 sprint cars for a couple years recently.He is tall too,so the one car had a slightly higher cage. And yes the modern cockpit is crowded with having the steering and fuel pump driven off the rear side of the engine inside the cockpit,taking away room for legs while entering and exiting the car.